Perfusion magnetic resonance imaging of the liver

Figure 6 Schematic diagram illustrating the key difference between a single-compartment model (A) and a dual-compartment tracer kinetic model (B). Using a single-compartment model, only the vascular compartment is considered and kinetic properties related to this (e.g. blood flow, F) can be estimated. The behavior of the normal liver can be approximated by a single-compartment model. Using a dual-compartment model, kinetic properties that describe the interstitial space (e.g. PS) can be quantified in addition. In disease states (e.g. liver cirrhosis and tumors), the vascular behavior of these tissues are better described using a dual-compartment model.